CELEBRATING MOTHERS by Adonai Magazine

w w w. a d o n a i m a g . o r g

COVER STORY

Gary Keesee

Should I have a credit card?

e’ve had many people ask our ministry, “Is it and learn to live within their means. A few weeks later, wrong for me to have a credit card?” We they talked to our ministry and told us they had taken don’t believe that credit cards are evil in our advise (or so they thought). We found out they had themselves, but their easy-to-spend and hard-to-pay na- frozen their credit cards in a bowl of water in the freezer. ture makes them a major pitfall for many people. When One problem: they owned a microwave! They were still we meet with people struggling finanholding on to their back up plan. cially, we find that most of the time, Relying on credit cards they have been relying on credit cards At one time in my life, I had ten makes it very difficult to meet their daily needs. Whether it maxed-out credit cards, three fito get out of debt and be a credit card from the gas station, nance company loans, two car make the decision to department store, grocery store or a payments, back taxes, and trust God with your finances. platinum card with your pet’s picture $20,000 owed to relatives. Now, on it, all credit cards have hefty interest at that time God showed me I rates that will steal your future if you allow them. Credit was trusting debt to meet my needs. My wife and I cut card companies know that most people will not pay off up our credit cards and decided to never used debt again. their balance at the end of every month. It would have been unwise for us to keep the credit cards because we were so programmed to use them for everyRelying on credit cards makes it very difficult to get out thing. However, in three years, we paid off all that debt. of debt and make the decision to trust God with your fi- Sixteen years later, I use credit cards for most everything, nances. As it says in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve but I pay off the balance at the end of every month, never two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the allowing our balance to outgrow our income for that other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the month. Using credit cards helps me keep track of my fiother. You cannot serve both God and Money.” Until nances, but I have learned the lesson of living within my someone makes a clear decision to trust God and serve means and avoiding the deception of debt. him instead of debt, it is very hard for them to be free. We encourage people who have a lot of credit card debt to So, no; it is not evil to own credit cards. But is it wrong cut up the cards and learn to live with debit cards until for YOU to have them? That depends on HOW you are they learn self-discipline in this area. Just as you would using them. Freedom is worth any upfront sacrifice. Do not put a bottle of wine in the refrigerator of someone what it takes to get on track to financial freedom today. overcoming alcoholism, it is not wise to have credit cards If that means cutting up the cards and only using debit hanging around if you’re trying to pay off debt. cards and cash for a time, do it knowing that the lesson will be worth it! One time, our ministry met with a couple with serious Faith Life Now P.O. Box 779 New Albany, OH 43054 credit card debt. I encouraged them to cut up the cards © www.faithlifenow.com

w w w. a d o n a i m a g . o r g

COVER PHOTO REV. & MRS. O’NEIL THOMAS APOSTLE & PASTOR D.S. MUNDELL Henry Ayensu

Franklin Kwaku Kyei Pas. Abraham Obadare Dr. Myles E. Munroe

Happy Mothers Day Jerusalem A Church Without Walls would like to wish all mothers a Happy Mother’s Day. Appreciating you cannot be recognized in just one day so we would like to dedicate the entire month to mother’s. Feel /ee to visit and celebrate with us this month at Jerusalem - A Church Without Walls, 772 Burke Ave, Bronx, NY 10467 Jerusalem - A Church Without Walls is commited to teaching the word of God and challenging you to be the best that God wants you to be. According to Jeremiah 29: 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. ADVERT ON PAGE 21

REV. O’Neil & Mrs. Kareen Thomas

Joyce Meyer Dr. Ralph F. Wilson Jimmy Evans Dr. William D. Watley Dr. Kelafo Collie M.D. Elsie Osae-Kwapong Rev. Nick Anane-Agyei Cre8ive House

Publisher

Editor-In-Chief

Columnist

Columnist Columnist Columnist Columnist Columnist Advertising Manager Spiritual Advisor Graphic Design

CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 3870 White Plains Road Suite 2 Bronx, New York 10467

Tel: 347 449 5892 | 646-436-1486 advert@adonaimag.tv www.adonaimag.tv

BAHAMAS OFFICE Tel: 242 441 4314 • 242 225 3574 kelafocollie@gmail.com

The name Adonai is translated Lord in the Bible. Adon means, “steward administrator, master, or Lord.” The addition of ai to adon intensifies or elevates its meaning, changing it to mean “the ultimate Lord, the Supreme Lord, or Lord of all.” The vision of Adonai Magazine goes beyond denominational, traditional, ethnic and cultural barriers that are sometimes imposed and have interfered with the Lord’s vision for an international kingdom building.

Deadline for placing adverts in the next issue is 20th day of every month

DisclaimerAdonai is published once a month by Cre8ive House Inc. No part of this publication is to be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. The Magazine can not be held liable for any error in any advertisement and any liability is limited to the total cost of the advertisement in error. The publisher however reserves the right to refuse any advertisement deemed offensive or inappropriate.

w w w. a d o n a i m a g . t v

Franklin K. Kyei

Editor of the Adonai Magazine Send your letters and suggestions to the editor at info@adonaimag.tv or call: 347 449 5892

The Call To Godliness visit www.adonaimag.tv for more articles

he gospel of Jesus Christ seeks to promote godliness. That is, the God kind of life that identifies us with divinity and distinguishes us from the world around us (Titus 1:1; 2:11-12). Believers in the Lord Jesus are admonished to make godliness the object of their ambitions and pursuits in life (I Timothy 2:2; 6:11; II Peter 1:6; 3:11).

To be godly means to have great reverence for God, authentic spirituality, and to reflect the divine character of God in conduct and disposition. Godliness, therefore, refers to the identification of the Christian with conducts and dispositions that express the divine nature of God. It is the manifestation of a character that reflects the sanctity of God in/through us. It refers to traits that validate the authenticity of our conversion and profession of faith; traits that stand for and identify us with God’s divine nature, and which demonstrate deep reverence and love for who and what He is in all spiritual mindedness (I Peter 1:14-16; Colossians 3:1-3, Micah 6:8). To get a sound scriptural grasp of the subject one must be able to identify what reflects the divinity of God in the pages of the bible, so that we can use it to evaluate our level of godliness. This approach is imperative because too much of the bible’s message and demand for godliness have been relegated to theological abstractions; rendering them irrelevant and impractical in our perceptions, desires, and daily walk as Christians. This situation has weakened the witness of the Church; her power in warfare and service; and her fellowship with God. The three most hallowed, permeating, and renowned qualities of God in scripture, which express His distinctiveness and character (divinity) are His Holiness (Integrity and Incorruptibility); His Righteousness or Justness; and His Mercy (divine compassion, forbearance, and magnanimity) (Isaiah 6: 3; Revelations 4: 8; I John 1: 5; I Peter 1:15-16; Ezra 9:15; Psalm 119: 137; Revelation 16: 5; Deuteronomy 32: 4; Psalm 86: 15; 136: Lamentations 3:22; Romans 9:15-16; 15:9; II Corinthians 1:3; Ephesians 2:4. 6

w w w. a d o n a i m a g . t v

Godliness, therefore, deals with the practical manifestation of God's Holiness, Mercy, and Righteousness in His children. This is achieved through the believer's submission to the Word of God, the disciplines of divine pruning and the trials of life, and the workings of the Holy Spirit in the life of the child of God; to facilitate conducts and dispositions that conform to divinity, spirituality, and divine fellowship (I Peter 2:9: II Timothy 2:19-21; Romans 6:12-22; John 15:1-2). We have been saved, justified, sanctified, and made righteous by the blood, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1-2; 8:29-30; Ephesians 2:8-9; Colossians 1:13; Titus 3:7; Romans 10:8-10). Nothing can be added to that which has been accomplished for us through the Lord’s sacrifice on the cross.

Christians are, however, admonished by the Word of God to reflect the endowments, privileges, and blessings of the redemptive experience practically on a daily basis, by conducting themselves in holiness, serving God in spirit and truth, being merciful, and by walking in righteousness, which comprise Godliness. These qualities must be seen in a progressive and practical sense in our lives, subsequent to conversion (Hebrews 12:14; I Peter 1:14-16; I John 1:5-7; Romans 8:1-14, Galatians 5:15-26; Colossians 3:1-4; John 4:24; Ephesians 4: 32; Matthew 5: 7; 6: 36; Ephesians 4:17-24; I John 2:28-29). Scripture demands us to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance (Titus 2:11-14; Ephesians 4:1; Matthew 3:8). We, as the vineyard of God, are being tended by the Lord to produce good fruit to reward His investments in the vineyard (our lives); to bear witness to His redemptive power, holiness, righteousness, mercy, and love, in the world around us; and to rejoice His heart as He beholds the fruitfulness in our lives. Bearing wild grapes (or bad fruit) is never part of the provisions for this divine covenant, because it invites nothing but divine judgment (John 15:1-2; Isaiah 5:1-7; Hebrews 6:7-9). To be continued.

w w w. a d o n a i m a g . t v

Dr. Myles Munroe

For Books or Teachings by Dr. Myles Munroe on CD, audio or video tapes, call or visit us at: Bahamas Faith Ministries International. The Diplomat Center, Carmichael Road. P.O.Box N-9583, Nassau, Bahamas Tel: (242) 341 – 6444. Fax: (242) 361 2260

visit www.adonaimag.tv for more articles

The Kingdom Concept n recent times, it has been a popular notion to celebrate the opposition against monarchies, and many have even suggested the eradication of the concept of monarchies from our so-called modern or post-modern world. Popular uprisings against the remaining monarchies in the name of the pursuit of democracy have become the craze of today’s self-proclaimed freedom fighters. In some cases, it may be justifiable; in many of the instances, these kingdoms are filled with contradictions, abuse, social extremes, and dictatorial administrations.

However, it must also be noted that many of the democracies in our world today are also plagued with the same defects and shortcomings. In essence, the problem is not the king, the kingdoms, or even the form of government, but the defects in the human nature that functions in any of these systems. Yet the kingdom concept is the only one presented, preached, promoted, taught, and established by Jesus Christ throughout His ministry. His proposed solution to mankind’s problems on the earth is the establishment of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. As a matter of fact, the message of the Bible, and more specifically, the focus of Jesus, was not a religion or, for that matter, any of the many subjects we have magnified and many have preached as “the gospel” or good news to the world. For instance, Jesus never preached as a priority pub8

w w w. a d o n a i m a g . t v

lic message subjects like faith, prosperity, giving, deliverance, or even His death on the Cross or His resurrection as “the gospel.” But He repeatedly promoted and declared “the Kingdom of God and Heaven” as His principal message. I am well aware that what I just said may be cause for much reaction, mental conflict, and religious resistance; but I would encourage believers to search and research the four Gospels for themselves and discover this surprising reality. Jesus also indicated that this message of the “Kingdom” would be His disciples’ message to their world. The original ideal kingdom concept is distinct from the earthly version even though it contains many of the same components and concepts of all kingdoms. What exactly is a kingdom? Very simply, a kingdom is the government of a king. More specifically, a kingdom is the sovereign rulership and governing influence of a king over his territory, impacting it with his will, his intent, and his purpose, manifesting a culture and society reflecting the king’s nature, values, and morals. This definition describes the relationship of God to the heavenly realm. Heaven exists because of the creative activity of God. In the fullness of time, Jesus came to the earth and re-established the Kingdom.

w w w. a d o n a i m a g . t v

Pas. Abraham Obadare

Pastor Abraham Obadare is a minister at Christ Apostolic Church WOSEM, New York City •Our TV programs show: Queens: QPTV 34 on Wednesdays at 10:30pm & Fridays at 5:30pm, Brooklyn: BCAT 56 at 12am on Sunday Long Island: CABLEVISION 20 on Saturday 7:30am Tel: 718 658 8981.

As it was with Jesus visit www.adonaimag.tv for more articles

here was a kind of power that Jesus put to use during his years in ministry. This power followed Him wherever He went. Amazingly, the same power followed Him into the grave, raised Him from death, and later continued to work among the Apostles. This power is called the Power of Resurrection. It is my prayer that as this power of resurrection was with Jesus, so shall it be with you all the days of your life.

In Matthew chapter 27 verses 64, a command was given to make Jesus’ grave extra secured by putting a stone at the entrance of the tomb, in order to prevent any possible escape. In verse 66 the order was carried out, but thank God for the power of resurrection; nothing could keep Jesus in the grave. A similar order was given when the high priest and others put the disciples in prison for preaching and performing miracles (Acts 5:17-18). There may have been an order or confederacy over your life or soul as in (Ps. 83:2-4), but Jesus, the Resurrection and Life (John 11:25) himself will fight for you. As it was with Jesus and nothing who prevent Him from living, so shall it be unto you that nothing will keep you bound. God sent down an angel from heaven that came to roll the stone away from the tomb where Jesus was laid (Matt. 28:2). Thank God for Acts 5:19. As it was with Jesus, an angel came to open the prison door to set them free. Dear Reader, as it was with Jesus, the power of resurrection shall work in your life today because your ministering angels (Heb. 1:1314) will begin to function in Jesus name. Matt. 28:4 says the guards shook in fear and surprise; as it was with Jesus, fear and confusion came upon the guards who were set against the disciples in prison (Acts 5:20-28). I tell you, as it was with Jesus, 10

w w w. a d o n a i m a g . t v

fear will come upon every situation, which terrorizes you today in Jesus name. Jesus was falsely accused, flocked, spat upon, ridiculed, crucified, and believed would no longer exist, but glory be to God, Matt. 28:6 said, “…He is risen…” He is the man who Himself was the Resurrection and life; no power could hold Him down. As we read earlier in Acts 5:17-18, the disciples were taken through a terrible ordeal, but the Lord delivered them. As it was with Jesus, every part of your body that is going through pain and every aspect of your life that is in need of redemption shall be visited with the Resurrection Power today. By the time we get to Matt. 28:9-10 Jesus had already started to appear to people, telling them to “rejoice!” “…Do not be afraid…” As it was with Jesus, the disciples who were once in captivity were now free and preaching in the temple (Acts 5:25) and throughout Jerusalem. The resurrection power set them free. As it was with Jesus, everything which says you will not be known will be silenced today in Jesus name. You shall be free in Jesus name. I said you shall be free in Jesus name. What’s holding you down? Whatever goodness that’s been termed “dead” in you shall rise today in Jesus name. Above all, please note that you must be an heir of salvation for you to enjoy this power that worked for Jesus. By Pastor Abraham Obadare of Christ Apostolic Church WOSEM. 718-658-8981 For Our TV programs show: Queens: QPTV 34 on Wednesdays at 2pm & Fridays at 5:30pm Brooklyn: BCAT 35/98 at 8:30 on 2nd & 4th Sundays Long Island: CABLEVISION 115 on Sunday 7am Worldwide: LifezoneTV – www.lifezonetv.com/index.html on Monday @ 6:30pm & Thursday @ 5:30pm

w w w. a d o n a i m a g . t v

Joyce Meyer

For more on this topic, order Joyce’s four-CD series Do Yourself a Favor…Forgive. You can also contact us to receive our free magazine, Enjoying Everyday Life, by calling (800) 727-9673 or visiting www.joycemeyer.org. Ladies, join Joyce Meyer for the 30th Anniversary Love Life Women’s Conference September 20-22 in Saint Louis, MO. For more information, go to www.joycemeyer.org/womensconference.

visit www.adonaimag.tv for more articles

Four Steps to Help You Genuinely Forgive orgiving someone isn’t easy. Believe me, I know from personal experience! But I also know that it is possible. Scriptures like Philippians 4:13 (AMP) tell us we can do whatever we need to do with God’s power: I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-suﬃcient in Christ's suﬃciency]. Many of you know that my father sexually abused me from the time I was about 3 until I was 18. I left home as soon as I could and carried bitterness and unforgiveness in my heart for years.

But over time, as I studied God’s Word, He began to reveal how harmful it is to live with unforgiveness and the benefits of forgiveness. I think sometimes people believe forgiveness is more about doing a favor for the person who hurt them, when actually, you are doing yourself a big favor, because as you release the bitterness and anger in your heart, you are able to live with real peace and joy. If you’re struggling with unforgiveness, you may be thinking, “Ok, Joyce, I want to forgive, but it’s so hard. I don’t know if I can do it!” Well, I want to encourage you to know that in Christ, you can forgive – no matter what has been done to you. And I’m going to show you how.

Make a Quality Decision Forgiveness is about more than saying a prayer, like, “Lord, I forgive so-and-so.” Forgiveness is a decision you make. It’s not an easy one, and it will probably be uncomfortable or even painful. But the reward of going through it will be worth any pain you experience. A quality decision is a serious decision. You have to 12

w w w. a d o n a i m a g . t v

really want it.

Depend on God Fortunately, we can depend on God to gain the strength needed to forgive. This means we live with a prayerful mindset and attitude: “Lord, help me not to be oﬀended today. Keep me from unnecessary anger. If I am mad at someone, show me who it is. Give me the grace to forgive them.” To help you depend on God, I recommend speaking scriptures out loud, such as Ephesians 4:32 (AMP): I am useful and helpful and kind to others, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving others [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave me. If you’re easily oﬀended or there’s a person in your life who just annoys you, not only do you have to decide to forgive and live in peace, but you are going to have to depend on God for the grace to do it and make it a matter of prayer. Depend on God to create genuine forgiveness in your heart.

Understand Your Emotions The word “emotion” means to move out. The dictionary says emotions provoke psychological changes that prepare a person for action. So feelings create a desire to do something. When somebody hurts you and you feel emotions of pain, the first thing you want to do is tell them oﬀ. You want to get them back or you want to get away from them. You need to know that your feelings will probably need time to catch up with your decision to forgive. Your feelings are not the real you. They’re fickle. You can feel a thousand and one diﬀerent ways about the same thing. You can love somebody one minute and then you can’t stand them the next. But remember, your will gives you the ability to live beyond your feelings.

contd. on pg. 27

w w w. a d o n a i m a g . t v

Rev. W. D. Watley Ph.D.

is the Senior Pastor of St. Philip A.M.E. Church, Atlanta Georgia. A world renown preacher and teacher, he is the author of 18 books. For more information and materials, visit www.williamwatley.org.

Satan’s Tools

visit www.adonaimag.tv for more articles

et us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and, let us run with patience the race that is set before us" (Heb. 12:1).

There are weights which are not sins in themselves, but which become distractions and stumbling blocks in our Christian progress. One of the worst of these is despondency. The heavy heart is indeed a weight that will surely drag us down in our holiness and usefulness. The failure of Israel to enter the land of promise began in murmuring, or, as the text in Numbers literally puts it, "as it were murmured”; just a faint desire to Sadness deprives the c o m p l a i n soul of all its aspirations, and be disenchains all its powers, contented. and produces a mental This led on paralysis! until it blossomed and ripened into rebellion and ruin. Let us give ourselves no liberty ever to doubt God or His love and faithfulness to us in everything and forever. We can set our will against doubt just as we do against any other sin; and as we stand firm and refuse to doubt, the Holy Spirit will come to our aid and give us the faith of God and crown us with victory. It is very easy to fall into the habit of doubting, fretting, and wondering if God has forsaken us, and if after all, our hopes are to end in failure. Let us refuse to be discouraged. Let us refuse to be unhappy. Let us "count it all joy" when we cannot feel one emotion of happiness. Let us rejoice by faith, by resolution, by reckoning, and we shall surely find that God 14

will make the reckoning real. The devil has two master tricks. One is to get us discouraged; then for a time at least we can be of no service to others, and so are defeated. The other is to make us doubt, thus breaking the faith link by which we are bound to our Father. Lookout! Do not be tricked either way. Gladness! I like to cultivate the spirit of gladness! It puts the soul so in tune again, and keeps it in tune, so that Satan is shy of touching it. The chords of the soul become too warm, or too full of heavenly electricity, for his infernal fingers, and he goes off somewhere else. Satan is always very shy of meddling with us when our hearts are full of gladness and joy in the Holy Ghost. Our plan must be to shun the spirit of sadness as we would Satan; but, alas! We are not always successful. Like the devil himself it meets us on the highway of usefulness, looks us so fully in the face, till our poor souls change color! Sadness discolors everything; it leaves all objects charmless; it involves future prospects in darkness; it deprives the soul of all its aspirations, enchains all its powers, and produces a mental paralysis! An old believer remarked, that cheerfulness in religion makes all its services come off with delight; and that we are never carried forward so swiftly in the ways of duty as when borne on the wings of delight; adding, that Melancholy clips such wings; or, to alter the figure, takes off our chariot wheels in duty, and makes them, like those of the Egyptians, drag heavily. - Culled from Streams in The Desert Devotional

w w w. a d o n a i m a g . t v

Elsie Osae-Kwapong

Email Auntie Elsie at elsie@adonaimag.tv

visit www.adonaimag.tv for more articles

Our special collection of Mother's Day coloring pages for all ages...

Show mum a new fun diploma, color it to make it extra special.

Mother's Day Poem

A Mother is like a flower On a sunny summer day. You'd pick her in a minute If you could have your way. A Mother is like the sunshine; She warms your heart each day And makes you feel like smiling. It's just her special way."

How about coloring the flowers and showing it to your mom as a sign of your love for her

ANSWERS TO LAST ISSUE QUESTIONS

Who is this man?. MOSES • What is he holding? TEN COMMANDMENTS Who gave it to him? GOD • Who is he taking it to? PEOPLE OF ISRAEL 18

w w w. a d o n a i m a g . t v

Dr. Kelafo Z. Collie M.D.

Dr. Kelafo is a life coach, leadership developer and trains persons into purpose worldwide. He is president of Kingdom Apostolic Ministries Intl. and Kingdom Apostolic School of Ministry. He is the author of two books “You are my Father, I am your Son- Understanding Kingdom Sonship” and “ Re Ordering the Nation- Principles to transforming the Bahamas”, visit www.adonaimag.tv for more articles

Obesity

besity is a medical condition in which excessive body fat accumulates to the extent that it has an adverse eﬀect on health. It is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide leading to decreased life expectancy in adults and children. Obesity is an international epidemic plaguing an estimated 400 million people. It a chronic disorder that aﬀects women more than men. Obesity is defined by body mass index. BMI = weight (kg)/height (m2) A BMI > 30 is obese. Any BMI ≥ 35 or 40 is severe obesity A BMI of ≥ 35 or 40–44.9 or 49.9 is morbid obesity

Causes: Obesity is a complicated condition that can be the cause and/or result of many other medical conditions. Obesity can be as result of hereditary, sedentary lifestyle, diet, systemic disease, medication side effect (antidepressants, oral contraceptives) and hormonal imbalance. Often obese patients suffer from other medical conditions including hyperlipidemia, thyroid disease (hypothyroidism), rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other autoimmune conditions. Obesity predisposes to several chronic diseases including hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, infertility, metabolic syndrome. Polycystic ovarian syndrome affects women of childbearing age. Polycystic ovarian syndrome can lead to further obesity in at risk women. These women are often insulin resistant which can lead to diabetes. Prevention: Early prevention, information and developing healthy lifestyle habits can go a long way in preventing

Ways to prevent obesity: 1. Develop an attitude of healthy living. 2. Increase intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. 20

w w w. a d o n a i m a g . t v

3. Limit the intake of animal protein and monitor food portion sizes. 4. Do 30-60 minutes of aerobic exercise 4-5 times per week. 5. Avoid beverages loaded with sugar and empty calories: alcohol, soda, juices and soft drinks. 6. Learn the art of juicing fresh vegetables and fruits. 7. Drink 6-8 glasses of water per day. 8. Avoid sweets and processed foods. 9. Avoid the use of tobacco and other toxins. 10. Substitute white sugar with brown sugar or sugarcane and milk with soy/almond milk. For evaluation of obesity, a complete history and physical examination and laboratory tests to include a thyroid function test, lipid profile must be done.

Treatment: The main treatment of obesity is diet and exercise. The importance of exercise cannot be emphasized enough. Orlistat, is a drug currently approved for long term weight loss that provides modest weight loss results and is associated with gastrointestinal side effects. Drugs are not commonly recommended due to unknown long term side effects. The most effective treatment for obesity is bariatric surgery. It is associated with longer term weight loss and decreased morbidity and mortality. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. We are not our own. Therefore, as stewards, one is to take care of his/her body, and be mindful of their lifestyles for overall health and longevity. Adapt healthy eating habits and exercise as a family; and watch you and your generation flourish!!!! Know the Scriptures concerning healing and divine health. Remember the power of life and death lie in the tongue. Speak life! Jesus is our healer!

w w w. a d o n a i m a g . t v

Dr. Ralph F. Wilson

Dr. Ralph Wilson is a California pastor, director of Joyful Heart Renewal Ministries, and author of more than a dozen free online Bible studies from the Old and New Testaments. (www.jesuswalk.com/ebooks). Copyright ÂŠ 2006, Ralph F. Wilson: pastor@joyfulheart.com. All rights reserved.

The Sterile Food Tree visit www.adonaimag.org for more articles

he telephone pole that captures my attention nursed no life-long ambition to telecommunications greatness. It was once a Douglas fir towering nearly 80 feet above the forest floor. Its trunk sways gently as the winds pass over its mountainside. Its great arms, clothed with successive layers of green foliage, shade the understory plants. Yet one day the sound of a bulldozer disturbs its mountain fastness. The whine of chainsaws sends a chill through the trees, and they fall one by one, fodder for the mill downstream. Rrrrrr. Chainsaws lop oďŹ&#x20AC; each limb that protrudes, and mighty jaws lift the giant amputee on board a truck headed for the mill. Inside the sound is deafening. The debarker whines and bucks as it slices through branch stubs and reduces Few trees aspire to them to be telephone poles, submissive knots. you know, but for Layer after many that is their layer of bark destiny and outer wood are peeled back until the trunk is naked and smooth. Its base is plunged into a vat of burning creosote and preservative forced into its pores with unremitting pressure.

Violence now complete, the new telephone pole is stacked with brother poles on yet another truck. And one day he feels himself drop to the side of the road. A crane stretches his top to the sky and lowers his feet into a deep hole. The pole is now pierced by climbing spikes and crossbeams, connectors and insulators, then strung with humming high voltage lines. Phone conversations and TV shows pass under his artificial limbs, but he does not hear them. For the most part, he stands in stillness and ponders his fate. An occasional car whishes by, a hawk rests upon his head for a few moments waiting for ro22

w w w. a d o n a i m a g . t v

dents to stir in the field below. But mostly he stands stoic and sterile -- never to grow again, never to bear cones, never to see young ones grow up between his toes. All he can look forward to are the cracks and fissures that come with dryness and age. He will feel the water of snow storms melt and trickle down those cracks into to his feet. It is there, underground, that he will eventually rot and decay 30 to 40 years hence. When he can, the pole lives in the fragrant memories of his past, not in the stark hopelessness of his present. My life hasn't exactly gone as I had planned either. But I realize that the telephone pole silhouetted against the sky has found a new meaning to his life that he had no reason to expect. Birds flutter near his top. Now, one of them inches down the pole and suddenly inflicts a new violence upon him. Bang, bang, bang. The woodpecker drives his sharp bill deeper and deeper into the pole's fibrous tissues. Bang, bang, bang. The hole is deep enough now. Peck, peck, peck. The bird splinters the sides of the hole to widen it. It flies away momentarily, but now returns with something in its beak. It jams an acorn into the new hole until it is firmly wedged. And now the bird and his friends begin again. Bang, bang, bang. Peck, peck, peck. The childless fir will live on in the woodpeckers and their hatchlings. And as I see the pole surrounded by its woodpeckers, bearing a harvest not its own for a family not its own, I sense it has grown more philosophical, more thankful with age. Few trees aspire to be telephone poles, you know, but for many that is their destiny. Often we can feel only pain and loss. We suďŹ&#x20AC;er. We hurt. We feel sorry for ourselves. But sometimes, if we can grasp it, God is creating for us a new and wonderful life through that which has died. Who would think that an aging pole could be thankful for a colony of woodpeckers? Who indeed?

w w w. a d o n a i m a g . t v

Why We Celebrate Our Mothers?

Joycelyn

Sandra

One relationship which is always with us is the one we share with our mothers. They are our guiding force and are responsible for making us who we are. Mothers also shape our lives and our personalities and crediting them for the same is something one should do at every opportunity.

Mother's Day is here again. It is one of the most popular of all such days that honour relationships. Of the many people who add value to our lives, a mother is undoubtedly the most special. Whether it is your own mom or someone you look up to, the basic thought behind Mothers Day is expressing yourself to that someone who has been with you throughout your life.

Mother's Day is the time to honour and cherish the special bond of love that you and your mother share. A mother does so much for her children, the least one can do is acknowledge her hard work and her selfless love for you. Charles

Mother's Day is a celebration of all mothers and of the everlasting bond that all mothers share with their children. A mothers selfless love is the epitome of all feelings that one human being can feel for their mother. Mom with all love I appreciate you for God giving you to us a gift, I cherish and uphold such a gift. Joyce

Mothers have always held a special place in our societal and family structures for thousands of years. Unlike fatherhood, which can be said to be an indirect relationship, motherhood is a natural and very strong bond between a mother and a child. Ike

Lilian

w w w. a d o n a i m a g . t v

The day that celebrates the essence of a mother is Mother's Day. One of those occasions that none of us can aďŹ&#x20AC;ord to miss, Mother's Day is something everyone can relate to. People across regions, religions, castes, cultures, genders and financial status have emotions binding them to their mothers. There could not be a more universal celebration than this one.

w w w. a d o n a i m a g . o r g

Jimmy Evans

Let Your Husband Fail visit www.adonaimag.tv for more articles

man’s greatest need is to be honored, especially by his wife. Almost any woman is willing to honor a man who succeeds and is doing well. What separates a mature wife from the rest is how she responds when her husband fails.

This is the test of true honor. During a marriage, every husband is bound to do something wrong. He will fail in some capacity. If a wife cannot still honor him at those times, she may have end up with a wounded and dishonored husband. I’ll never forget the Sunday I asked an older couple in our church to share their testimony about marriage. After 30 When you tell him how years of you feel, do it with m a r r i a g e, kindness and respect. they were Treat him the way you madly in want to be treated. love. I just knew everyone would benefit from their story. The woman began by saying something that stunned me. With her loving, sacrificial, distinguished husband right next to her, she detailed how, at the beginning of their marriage, he was such a lousy husband! He didn’t know how to manage money. He never spent any time at home. They were broke, and he worked all the time. He was insensitive to her needs. He never prayed or led the family spiritually. She said even more than that, letting loose all those negative comments with her husband right there by her side. And he was smiling the whole time! I couldn’t believe it. As she concluded her remarks, this godly woman said something every woman needs to hear: “When 26

w w w. a d o n a i m a g . o r g

my husband and I began to have all our trouble early in our marriage, I knew I had a choice to make. I could nag him and try to change him, or I could even leave him. But in my heart, I knew none of those things were right.” She continued: “So I finally decided to let him fail and let God correct him as I honored and loved him. After a period of time of praying for him and letting him fail, I saw God begin to change my husband right before my eyes. Today, I have a righteous husband who loves me and meets my needs.” The man she was standing with was not the man she married. He was much, much better. He didn’t get that way because she nagged him or demanded that he change. He got that way because his wife treated him with respect.

What a powerful testimony! Seldom will we make progress in a relationship by dishonoring a person or trying to force them to change. The only way to do it is through prayer and treating them better than they deserve. Ladies, don’t get me wrong: You should absolutely feel free to express your disagreement to your husband at any time and about anything. The last thing you should become is a doormat or an emotionless robot. But when you tell him how you feel, do it with kindness and respect. Treat him the way you want to be treated. Honor him and pray for him. Don’t nag. Don’t become manipulative. Don’t become irritable. You may win a few battles with those tactics, but you’ll always lose the war. Let your husband fail. If you honor him even when he knows he doesn’t deserve it, God will use it in a powerful way. He will deepen your husband’s love for you as He changes your husband’s heart.

Four Steps to Help You Genuinely Forgive contd from pg. 12

Pray for Your Enemies In Matthew 5:44 (AMP), Jesus instructs us to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. This has got to be the hardest thing in the whole world to do. But we don’t get out of something just because it’s hard. Whatever God asks us to do, it’s always for our benefit. Let’s get real practical about this: If you have a coworker who gets the promotion you wanted, the minute you feel jealousy and envy, don’t just pray for them—go buy them a gift. Trust me, it will work, because when you do that, it breaks the power of the devil. Why? Because Romans 12:21 says we can overcome evil by doing good. One time I found out somebody who did business with our ministry was saying unkind things about

me. I was mad and wanted to tell the guy oﬀ, but God told me to buy him a gift instead and thank him for all his years of service. At first it wasn’t easy. But when I put action behind it, I became filled with so much joy I actually laughed out loud. Forgiveness releases power from the Holy Spirit that prevents anyone from stealing your joy!

The Choice Is Yours Today, you have the choice to overcome evil with good and find a new level of joy you didn’t know was possible by choosing to forgive. I want to encourage you to do yourself a favor and make the right choice. Forgive.

w w w. a d o n a i m a g . o r g

BIBLE QUIZ

Name three soldiers mentioned in the bible.

In which book of the bible to we read about Haman?

Which 3 books of the old testament begin with the letter „M”?

Which Roman was in charge of cultivation in Syria at the time of Jesus’ birth? What happened first? Preacher Paul on the Areopagus or the execution of Jacob? What were the names of Abraham’s brothers?

What was the name of a female judge and her companion?

What happened first? Appointment of Matthew as an apostle or the appearance of the Holy Spirit?

What was the goddess in Ephesus called who was worshipped the most?

What was Priscilla’s husband called; which job did he have? 28

w w w. a d o n a i m a g . o r g

Name three sons of David.

Who was Bernice?

What happened first? The beheading of John or the feeding of the 5000? Who was Ahasveros?

Where in the bible are apples mentioned for the first time?

Who said: „See, I have not heard the half of it. You have more knowledge and goodness than me, this is rumour I have heard”. What was the great-grandson of Boa called?

Who said: „It won’t take much more for you to convince to become a Christian”? Who was Zippora?

How old did Enoch become?

Who said: „Philistines rule over you!”?

w w w. a d o n a i m a g . o r g